VIENNA, 16 April 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed his concern regarding the legislative amendments introducing a liability for distribution of foreign print media on the territory of the Russian Federation without the permission of the authorities.

On 2 April, the State Duma adopted, in the first reading, amendments to the Federal Code of the Administrative Offences, which envisage fining individuals, public officials and legal entities, along with confiscating the media materials in question.

“I encourage the members of the State Duma to carefully review the proposed amendments, so as to avoid hindering the public’s right to access foreign print publications, and to avoid obstructing the dissemination of information from other countries on the territory of the Russian Federation,” Désir said. “The OSCE participating States have committed to take all necessary steps to ensure basic conditions for the unimpeded transborder and intra-State flow of information, which they consider to be an essential component of any democratic, free and open society.”

The Representative also noted reports that the proposed amendments may affect foreign print media sold within the country, as well as printed materials brought into Russia by individuals for personal use.